By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted March 6, 2025

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Doylestown has begun its year-long celebration marking its 175th anniversary.

The parish was founded only 12 years after the Borough of Doylestown was incorporated in 1838, as James Wismer was baptized on Sept. 9, 1850 by Father Francis George in a building on East Street near Pine Street.

“A Catholic parish is many things to many people,” said Father Matthew Guckin, pastor of the parish. “There are so many iconic moments that take place here: baptisms, first holy Communions, weddings, funerals, Sunday Mass,” he said, “and these events have been taking place on a weekly basis at Mount Carmel for 175 years!”

The parish is honoring its anniversary with a series of celebrations throughout the year. Tom MacAniff, partner of the law firm Eastburn Gray in Doylestown, is the honorary chairman of the committee that is overseeing the celebrations.

“I’ve been a parishioner for more than 80 years and I’m most grateful for the values instilled in me by the parish,” said MacAniff. His greatest hope is that the parish “continues to thrive so that people can benefit from it as much as I have.”

The parish has long served as a place of hope during times of hardship and a space for celebration and worship, including many notable moments. These include:

• July 31, 1855: The church’s cornerstone is laid by t. John Neumann;
• May 17, 1859: St. John Neumann confirms 400 adults;
• May 17, 1876: The first school is dedicated.
• 1990: The prayer garden is installed.
• 1995: St. Mary’s Social Hall is built.

The church family at Our Lady of Mount Carmel exists to serve many people in Doylestown, and the parish’s outreach programs support the broader Bucks County community.

The parish’s blue-ribbon school has educated children for almost 150 years.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society feeds, clothes, and houses thousands of people every year.

The Peace and Justice Committee constantly provides speakers and experiences that help parishioners and others to understand the plight of the vulnerable, and inspires people to take action to assist them.

Pat Johnston, the former parish youth minister who now serves as president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, spoke of its many programs that help those who are less fortunate.

“Our parishioners are very generous and always have been,” said Johnston. “Last Thanksgiving we fed about 900 people and just this past Christmas we were able to give presents to over 1,300 children throughout the area. It’s all so very humbling.”

To commemorate the milestone, the parish has planned concerts, service activities, and special liturgies. These events will highlight the parish’s rich history and commitment to the needs of its parishioners and the greater Doylestown community.

Highlights of the 175th anniversary year include a parish cruise at the end of March, a spring concert in May, a summer novena in July, a parish picnic in September, and a Christmas concert in December.

Father Guckin added that the new columbarium (where cremated remains of people who have passed away are placed with reverence) will be dedicated in early spring.

“It was built just in time for our anniversary and we’re now able to provide a dignified final resting place for those who choose cremation,” said the pastor. Bishop Christopher Cooke will officially bless and dedicate the facility in April, although burials are already taking place there.

The capstone event to celebrate the parish’s anniversary will take place Nov. 16 as Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate Mass, followed by a luncheon at The Warrington.

Though the parish has a storied past, Father Guckin is even more excited about its future.  Active participation in the parish has grown by more than 10 percent in the past year, he said.

“We now have so many young families who are involved in the parish that I’m quite hopeful we can continue to thrive in proclaiming Jesus’ eternal message of love, hope, mercy and peace for many years to come,” he said.